Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 42

42.
The Joy of the Lord is your Strength.—Neh. viii, 10.

1 Joy is a fruit that will not grow
In Nature's barren soil;
All we can boast till Christ we know
Is vanity and toil.

2 But where the Lord has planted grace,
And made his glories known,
There fruits of heavenly joy and peace
Are found, and there alone.

3 A bleeding Saviour seen by faith,
A sense of pard'ning love,
A hope that triumphs over death,
Give joys like those above.

4 To take a glimpse within the veil,
To know that God is mine,
Are springs of joy that never fail,
Unspeakable! divine!

5 These are the joys which satisfy
And sanctify the mind;
Which make the spirit mount on high,
And leave the world behind.

5 No more, believers, mourn jour lot,
But if you are the Lord's,
Resign to them that know him not
Such joys as earth affords.